Practical Penumbra

There was a time, in another incarnation, well, actually in the time 'fore I met my late wife, when I actually found a pair of really lightweight leather shoes in gray, back when I was really into wearin' gray ever'thin'. I bought a pair and wore them for three or four weeks until the thin lightweight sole wore through. I went back to get another pair, and found that they had been greatly reduced in price, like $4.99 a pair, and were bein' discontinued. I bought all six pairs that store had in my size, and, as the store was one of those mall chain stores, advised the clerk to contact all of their other area stores, have all the identical shoes ever' other of their stores had in my size shipped to his store, and I would be back at the end of the week to purchase the whole lot. I ended up with 21 pairs of identical shoes.

They were the most comfortable shoes I ever wore and were generally worn out before they ever really needed a shine. I actually ended up gettin' married before I had gone through ever' pair of them, and my new spouse thought I severely lacked any degree of fashion sense. My gray-themed wardrobe, along with three or four boxes of brand-new shoes, quickly made their way to Goodwill or the trash heap, I am still unsure of which. From that point on, my late wife was completely in charge of my wardrobe, goin' so far as to actually lay out my clothes ever' mornin'. You'd be surprised how many of those same clothes I am still wearin' on a regular basis despite the fact she died over a decade ago. She not only knew fashion, but also knew value. You might pay a bit more for a good shirt, like Lands End, but they will last you a good long while.

Still, I kinda enjoyed my year or so realtionship with barely over $100 worth disposable shoes.

[grudgingly writes royalty check to Susie]